There are 3 lavatories: one at the front of the First Class cabin (on the left when facing the front of the plane), and two at the back of the Main Cabin. Related: TPG readers discuss best Alaska redemptions. Also, the passengers can hold their items on their knees. It was spicy sausage on bed of scrambled eggs with sweet potatoes and a garnish of baby tomatoes. I have a giggle too, until you try to book one of those flights using points and the program wants to bill you the full first class points rate, rather than the more appropriate business class rate, given the experience it provides. I found round-trip flights from JFK to SEA in first class for $1,296. On-time." During the COVID-19 crisis, our team has temporarily ceased taking review trips. Alaska Airlines found itself in a weird position when it acquired Virgin America. ET. Place your order from 2 weeks to 20 hours prior to your flight through the Alaska mobile app or online. The latest, lowest fares in your inbox every week. Power 12 years in a row, but notably, its fleet lacks built-in inflight-entertainment screens and relies on a bring-your-own-device model, unlike other major players on these routes. Alaska has no amenity kits in first on transcons. There is no Clear, and TSA PreCheck is intermittent. About an hour after takeoff, drink service reached my seat, with complimentary cookies and food for purchase. Should Children Be Banned From First-Class Sections On Public Transport? To accommodate its BYOD passengers, Alaska has incorporated nifty design features into the seats to hold a smartphone and tablet (more on that in the next section). I took a seat and enjoyed some of the excellent planespotting views afforded by SFO -- they were running the classic parallel departures from 28L/R and 1L/R. The new first class seats, supplied by Recaro but redesigned for Alaska Airlines, are set to a 40 pitch and padded with memory foam. Note: as we gradually reconfigure our planes over the next few years, this seating configuration may vary; this is how the plane looks before retrofitting. With a redesigned, practical cup holder, Premium Class seats on select flights are ready to handle your complimentary beer or wine with care. The e-ticket number entered is invalid. Plus, your own feed of TPG content. Finally at 1:34 p.m., we pushed back and slowly proceeded to Runway 1R. This diagram shows the seat map for our Airbus A319-112 aircraft. Perched on the rooftop of the North Satellite terminal, the sprawling 15,800ft (1,400m) space boasting a cocktail bar, fireplace and sweeping views of the runways and Mt Rainer. I also noticed what was expected: no built-in TV. She really warmed up by the end of the flight, but it took a while. TV series included titles like "Friends," "Black-ish," "Empire," "The Simpsons" and "How I Met Your Mother." Enjoy free beer, wine, and cocktails on most flights over 350 miles. The service was consistently good, the entertainment was sufficient for a short-haul flight and . Our points-obsessed staff uses a plethora of credit cards on a daily basis. New Amplify Signature cards only. [flight_stats ticket-class="econ" review-stat-section="Amenities and IFE" tpg-rating="27" tpg-rating-max="40" movies="489" tv-shows="65" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="0" turndown-service="0" /]. Lucky for me, though, I had no seatmate for this flight! The TSA guy who looked over my boarding pass after a nine-minute wait in line told me that it wasn't open yet. Also, it is possible to have the personal items on the knees or on the pull-out shelves that are are placed on the back of the seats. To make the most of that BYO tech, Alaska Airlines is ramping up the installation of a faster Gogo Internet service, which should feature on most of its Airbus and Boeing fleet by next year. There are two galleys: one at the front of the First Class cabin, and one at the back of the Main Cabin. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit, Alaska Airlines lounge at JFK Airport terminal 7. Both ports worked. Upon arriving at 33A, I noticed there was no blanket or pillow on the seat, which some other airlines provide on transcon flights. As of this month, Alaska Airlines will begin offering passengers a new domestic class seat - better known as "business class" - and high-speed WiFi that lets users stream content above the clouds using the internet. Width . The airline uses a distance-based award chart thats divided into four groups: Hop, Skip, Jump and Leap. Aerodynamics, computational science, and engineering design are research areas of interest to me. Please check in at the airport 3 hours prior to departure. Being the last one to board, I couldn't snap pictures of the refurbished cabin. You can also find this information in the information packet in the seatback pocket. As you board the plane, the First Class seats are lettered, from left to right, F and D, the aisle, then C and A. I needed an updated version of Adobe player (which they outlined). Alaska Airlines says that a third of its fleet including all Airbus jets obtained through the Virgin America take-over, plus Boeing 737-700s and three new Boeing MAX 9 planes will sport the new seats by early 2020, although theres no timeline stretching beyond that for the remaining two out of three jets. We were seated in row 9 of 26 in the exit row so we had lots of leg room and padded seatbelts which contained an airbag seeing as the distance from us . TV shows were sorted by channel and genre and included cartoons. I wouldnt get it again; maybe try the fruit and cheese platter if you're hungry. Tablets are collected 30 minutes prior to landing. 4 inches more legroom than standard Main Cabin seats. Note: as we gradually reconfigure our planes over the next few years, this seating configuration may vary; this is how the plane looks after retrofitting. Enjoy free beer, wine, and cocktails on most flights over 350 miles. The seat's headrest folded in, moved up and down and even tilted. The seats are new and, other than the sleep issue, comfortable though I prefer the older first-class seats on Alaska's Boeing 737s. Alaska Airlines first started its real transition towards an all-Boeing fleet in November of 2020 when it announced a transaction that would lead to the swap of 10 Airbus A320ceos from Alaska's fleet in favor of leases for 13 new Boeing 737 MAX 9 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation. we were wheels-up at 2:26 p.m., and through 10,000 feet five minutes after that. Our flight was operated by Juneyao's A321, which comes with 12 business class seats in a 2-2 configuration. It was on time, and the Wi-Fi worked well enough for me to get some work done. . While I might choose a different carrier for the built-in screen and perhaps a free meal, I would by no means avoid Alaska in the transcon market, except maybe if I were scheduled on the narrower 737. I Almost Missed My Flight At JFK. to announce our flight time: four hours, 49 minutes, cruising at 35,000 feet. Check in and print your boarding pass 1 to 24 hours prior to your scheduled departure. That's just not very competitive on a transcon flight. For example, business class tickets provide you with plenty of perks at a cost of a lot.Theres a dedicated check-in desk, fast-track security, priority boarding, more baggage allowance, and priority handling for any and all luggage, such as electronic checked bags and bags placed in checked luggage.Frequent flyer rewards include miles as well as points. They say you can do it in flight, but I'd do it before to be safe. By selecting a partner link you agree to share your data with these sites. Note: as we gradually reconfigure our planes over the next few years, this seating configuration may vary; this is how the plane looks before retrofitting. This diagram shows the seat map for our Airbus A321 (neo) aircraft. Having flown every other economy product on flights between my home in NYC and San Francisco save for one, I figured it was time to try Alaska out on a recently retrofitted, former Virgin America, A321neo (short for "new engine option"). AA distinguishes itself from other airlines' business class by having aisles and flat beds, as well as aisle access. Only Alaska-issued 6-letter confirmation codes can be accepted. oversees TPGs online communities, manages the brands Instagram and contributes to the website. Note: as we gradually reconfigure our planes over the next few years, this seating configuration may vary; this is how the plane looks after retrofitting. Plus I just love that ambient lighting. Warm towels were handed out around 8:15 am. Watch free movies and TV shows on your own device. There are two galleys: one at the front of the First Class cabin, and one at the back of the Main Cabin. After realizing my mistake, I proceeded down the wide corridor to walk around a bit before boarding. Best card for premium perks while traveling, Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Business Platinum Card from American Express, Disney Cruise Lines Castaway Club loyalty program: Everything you need to know, 21 new Hyatt hotels where you can get 500 extra points per night, My first cruise to the Galapagos: The good, the bad and the absolutely adorable. There are 3 lavatories: one at the front of the First Class cabin (on the left when facing the front of the plane), and two at the very back of the Main Cabin (one on each side of the aisle). parties. A mesh pocket provided extra storage and was significantly less gross than nonmesh pockets that collect all types of crumbs and residue. The main first-class cabin flight attendant, named Allie, was very efficient. Exit row seating on this aircraft is in rows 16 and 17. Boarding was done by 7:16am. You can read about my status match/challenge and how it all began here. Find the right card for you. Check here before booking an award fare. All in all, the system worked well, although it could make multitasking tricky if you wanted to work while you watched on your computer. One of the most remarkable airplanes in its arsenal is Airbus. Check here before booking an award fare. The credit card offers that appear on the website are from credit card companies from which ThePointsGuy.com receives compensation. Cheese enchiladas. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Flagship Business Airbus A321 American Airlines. Economy has 220 seats; this is pretty standard for these aircraft. Review: Westpac Altitude Qantas Black Mastercard credit card, Virgin Atlantic officially joins the ranks of SkyTeam Alliance, Cathay to launch Asia Miles credit cards around the world, Qantas readies new premium economy cradle seats with more legroom, New wave Dubai: how the desert mecca is embracing its roots, 5 reasons you shouldn't bin your boarding passes, What to do when an airline cancels your flight, New ways for airlines to win your business, Australia's airport mask mandate will soon come to an end. If you feel stressed during the flight, it is preferable not to purchase a seat near the bull's-eye window. Lounge Wi-Fi was phenomenal, with speeds of 186 Mbps for download and 122 for uploads on my phone. This was part of Alaska's effort to grow significantly on the West Coast (including in San Francisco), while also preventing JetBlue from gaining market share in the region (since the airline was also interested in acquiring Virgin America). It was connected via AirTrain to BART, as well as every other terminal at the airport (landside only). You are going to find the biggest difference between first class and business class in the seat you are seated in.It varies from airline to airline how luxurious first class is, but generally is bigger, more comfortable, and more exclusive. ET, 38 minutes early, but we then waited for a gate for more than a half-hour and weren't able to deplane until 2:08 p.m. That efficiency is what I generally experience on Alaska Airlines. The Airbus A321 plane seating will suit all kinds of passengers, even the most demandable ones. There was no line and no waiting for the staffed counters, where three agents were working, including Yoli who checked me in and was wonderful. After a quick Google search the night prior, I read on the Alaska website to download the Gogo entertainment app, which I did in under two minutes. American Airlines business class seats, like those on other international aircraft, have aisle access and a lie-flat bed. Airbus A321 has a standard Airbus A321 seat map with numerous add-ons and services which will make your air travel a quick and simple. Well send you an email to re-activate your account and enter a new password. 4 inches more legroom than standard Main Cabin seats. The crew had chosen to use blue mood lighting, a small but nice touch to instill a sense of calm before a flight. *On most flights, internet is available while flying over the continental US, Canada, parts of Alaska and while flying between Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. About halfway into the flight, a trip to the lavatory revealed a rather standard, albeit clean, airplane bathroom, with a tiny sink that made spilling water on the floor all but a certainty. Based on the seating chart, this would be a nearly full flight on Alaska's largest airplane, the A321neo. To read more about the changes, see this post. First class boarded at 12:40 p.m., and my group, Group C, boarded a few minutes later. Alaska puts 16 seats in first and 150 in economy, plus 24 in extra-legroom premium at the front of the coach section. Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Here is Alaska Airlines' new first class (okay, business class) seat, Executive Traveller is published by Business Travel Media Pty Ltd, a corporate authorised credit representative (#515763) of MGS FINANCIAL PTY LIMITED (#337568). It was an unexpected pleasure to be treated to a little more legroom and free drinks on my final mileage run segment. I also got 259 Expedia points, though that's only about $2 and I would hesitate to book with an online travel agency such as Expedia or Orbitz in the future. I've now flown quite a bit on Alaska Airlines. Update: Some offers mentioned below are no longer available. If you made a purchase during a recent flight, get your receipt here. The first deliveries were in Aril 2019. A stink of kerosene in the cabin or any uproar are not present. Is It Worth Paying Extra For Business Class? I do miss lie-flat seats when flying some of the longest domestic flights in the United States. Flight time was scheduled for 5 hours 29 minutes. There are a handful of other planes in the shop for refurbishment including Airbus A320's (N623VA, N625VA, N630VA, N635VA, N639VA) and Airbus A321 (N928VA). What Extras Do You Get In Business Class? Business class offers warm meals and . For your own sake do some quick research before your flight to be sure you're prepared. The unified seat and cabin will sweep away the last vestiges of Virgin America, which Alaska Airlines bought out 2016. There are few routes in the US that are more competitive than the ones between New York and Los Angeles and San Francisco. I mean, it's almost 2020. The hummus tasted about as good as it looked: texturally sound, but I found it to be too tangy and overall unappealing. And conversely its nice to get F class status & points when you book $$$ ticket eg AA flight number under QFF. In economy class: Exit rows, aisle or window seats, and anywhere close to the front are typically considered the best seats on board. It's since undergone a retrofitting from Alaska with its own interiors, after the Virgin America acquisition. AIrbus A321 Alaska Airlines diagcon First Class Review Review David Parker Brown EDITOR-IN-CHIEF & FOUNDER - SEATTLE, WA. If youre having trouble getting a seat, ask an agent. Airbus A321 (neo) specifications Before retrofit Number in Fleet: 8 Passenger Capacity: 8 First Class/18 Premium/159 Main Cabin Range: 4,000 nm Length: 146 ft (44.5 m) Wingspan: 117 ft, 5 in (35.7 m) Featured amenities: Alt text for the Airbus A321 (neo) seating configuration before retrofit After retrofit Number in Fleet: 8 [flight_stats ticket-class="first" review-stat-section="Service" tpg-rating="11" tpg-rating-max="15" live-tv="0" tailcam="0" headphones="0" comp-alcohol="0" extra-pillows="No" turndown-service="No" /]. This review has published with TPG's updated scoring system, and you will notice different point allocations in certain sections of the flight. This diagram shows the seat map for our Airbus A320-214 aircraft. Second, Alaska uses a distance-based award chart for its airline partners, and it's here that you can find incredible value for award redemptions, especially in premium economy, business and first class, like JAL . Traveler photos (1) View all Seat map key Good seat Be Aware - See comments Bad seat Mixed Review Standard seat Blocked seat Premium seat Crew seat Power port Emergency exit Galley Lavatory Closet Bassinet This diagram shows the seat map for our Airbus A320-214 aircraft. Cabin crew came through with water about once per hour, with another full drink service about halfway through the flight, plus one more about an hour and a half after that. On many airlines, once airborne, you will unable to download the app unless you pay for Wi-Fi, if even that. This diagram shows the seat map for our Airbus A321 (neo) aircraft. Yes, thats right: complimentary cocktails, beer, and wine come with your Premium Class seat. third There were eight self-service kiosks, although two were not working. Please view our advertising policy page for more information. Alaska was running up to 14 flights a day from JFK pre-COVID-19, and it's unclear how many will return. The basics of the Virgin & Alaska Airlines lawsuit. Flight 1024 departed from Gate 51B in Terminal 2, with boarding set to begin at 12:30 p.m. Coming from the Fillmore District, I gave myself 30 minutes to get to SFO by Lyft, and even with TSA PreCheck and CLEAR, aimed to arrive nearly two hours early to visit a lounge and have enough time to take photos of the terminal.